This is my story of our maiden voyage sailing the Draft Horse, a 25' sailboat from St. Paul Minnesota to the Bahamas, with my husband, Larry, and our 15 year old daughter, Janel. Many times I saw and felt God's presence and hand of protection on us. Though trying at times, God gave me hope and renewed my faith. I whole heartedly put my trust in Him. This is a true account of our 6 month adventure dealing with locks, fog, storms, sea sickness, a hyped-up husband, disgruntled teenage daughter and surviving a raging storm in the Bahamas. Our daughter, Janel, gave this account of her experiences while in the midst of the raging storm. "Undoubtedly, the accumulation of experiences aboard Draft Horse positively influenced and shaped my life. Even though when stranded on a deserted island in the Bahamas it was not glamorous nor furnished with Gilligan's hammock or Ginger's sequenced gowns hanging in the closet of the abandoned house. This is what I experienced- thirst, rats, and a raging storm, that I'm thankful to have survived." This adventure was beyond my wildest dreams with experiences and memories I cherish. I was raised in Villard, Minnesota, population 248. A quiet, rural farming community where tractors and cows were common and sailboats didn't exist. Our adventure of sailing down the Mississippi River, around the Florida Keys and over to the Bahamas, raised many eyebrows back home. I'm grateful to tell my story. This sailing adventure was a challenge but together, we accomplished our dream. I urge my readers to make their dreams become a reality. I now live in Florida with my husband, Larry. Sincerely, Jean Rising Author of Sailing Draft Horse Adventure